DRAFT PICKS:
Derrick Rose, G, 6-3, Memphis -- The Bulls have promised to bring Rose along slowly, but they are counting on him to eventually change their style of play, with an emphasis on moving fast and sharing the ball. Omer Asik, C, 7-0, Turkey -- He's expected to remain overseas for a few years while the Bulls retain his rights, but Asik is regarded as one of the top big man prospects in Europe. The 21-year-old has a solid frame and is fairly athletic.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: This is a tough one, since no one on the entire roster met expectations this season. By default, it might as well go to guard Ben Gordon, who was the Bulls' leading scorer for the third straight season at 18.6 points.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: This honor could be split about eight ways and include one player now toiling in Cleveland. Ben Wallace aside, F Luol Deng might have to lead the disappointing category since he missed 19 games with injuries and didn't build on last year's promise. That said, Deng was also a strong candidate for team MVP by averaging 17.0 points while shooting 48 percent from the field.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Bulls need someone who can make the game easier for his teammates. They're not likely to find a top-notch superstar this summer but helped themselves immensely by adding Memphis point guard Derrick Rose with the No. 1 draft pick.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: Most of the attention will be on guard Ben Gordon and forward Luol Deng, who will become restricted free agents on July 1 because they turned down the Bulls' offers for contract extensions last summer. The Bulls won't let either player walk away but might explore sign-and-trade scenarios. Beyond that, guards Chris Duhon and Shannon Brown are unrestricted free agents. Neither is likely to return. Rookie forward Demetris Nichols is restricted and did receive a qualifying offer from the Bulls.
PLAYER NOTES:
--Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Joakim Noah all made a point of meeting Derrick Rose during his two-day visit to the Berto Center a week before the draft.
--F Luol Deng will grace the cover of EA Sports' NBA Live '08 video games sold in England. Deng spent much of his childhood in London and plays for the Great Britain national team.
--Derrick Rose is only the third guard in the last 30 years to be chosen with the top pick in the NBA draft. He joins Allen Iverson (1996) and Magic Johnson (1979).
